We took some of these dried herds to our last meet and greet at local farmers market…they are pretty, decorative and aromatic and we hoped to bring a smile to those that see and get a whiff of them.

We know that most of our Local Artisan Greens prefer herbs fresh, we do too… however we are not opposed to drying them nor are we opposed to sharing our ugly(disfigured, hole ridden, deformed) Local Artisan Greens with you. These ugly herbs are best dried especially when there is a surplus of them fresh.

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https://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/08/19/herbs-drying-and-packing-flavourful-and-aromatic-herbs/feed/0Drying herbsaquafoodfishgreens20140606-174954.jpg20140606-174948.jpg20140606-174959.jpg20140606-175004.jpg20140606-175010.jpg20140606-174942.jpg20140606-175459.jpgGrowing Now | Local Artisan Greens Mixed Saladshttps://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/08/13/growing-now-local-artisan-greens-mixed-salads/
https://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/08/13/growing-now-local-artisan-greens-mixed-salads/#commentsWed, 13 Aug 2014 18:45:04 +0000http://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/?p=3476While we must admit salad greens go a little beyond a lettuce salad for us as we love adding pretty much any thing green, tender and leafy in there, but we do know the importance of a typical and traditional salad to many. We have kept this in mind as we select our lettuce varieties for our Local Artisan Greens Mixed Salad Pack.

Every time we pack a hand selected mix of a variety of these greens, purples and bronzes for the Local Artisan Greens Family of people who love locally produced goodness, we do it with love and a little excitement.

With our Mixed Salad Packs you have freedom to make crazy beautiful and light accompaniments to supplement your daily green intake.

We always eat our ugly produce, because we know beauty is only skin deep… In keeping with the French brilliance of Intermarché, we are opening this luxury up to you.

If you are local, conscious and understand growing like us, feel free to ask us about our Local Artisan Ugly Greens…we are not averse to packing and sharing our ugly (disfigured, hole ridden, deformed) Local Artisan Greens with you, you can find them in one of our specially discounted packets… do know they were packing in there with our love.

]]>https://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/08/13/growing-now-local-artisan-greens-mixed-salads/feed/120140813-141505.jpgaquafoodfishgreens20140813-141525.jpg20140813-141505.jpgCultivating Days of happiness in the Gardenhttps://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/cultivating-days-of-happiness-in-the-garden/
https://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/cultivating-days-of-happiness-in-the-garden/#respondTue, 05 Aug 2014 10:01:39 +0000http://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/?p=3309

There is a love learnt and nurtured in the garden…a love that understands that things take time, require constant care and attention and may require you trying and trying, again and again at the same thing. Even if it means starting over afresh with learnings in tow, like it’s your first time.- Chan

]]>https://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/cultivating-days-of-happiness-in-the-garden/feed/0IMG_0994aquafoodfishgreensLocal Artisan Greens in The Kitchen | Light Mung Bean Souphttps://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/07/28/local-artisan-greens-in-the-kitchen-light-mung-bean-soup/
https://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/07/28/local-artisan-greens-in-the-kitchen-light-mung-bean-soup/#respondTue, 29 Jul 2014 02:37:56 +0000http://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/?p=3294They made me do it…so my submission for my go to dish is here…. I used what I can from the garden and winged the rest.

At home I have many go to dishes…I can juice an entire meal, eggs I can do, I do braised veges and provisions or quinoa very well and once avocados are available crix, avocado and anything excites me.. okay not many but that’s the list, pretty much.

Ever since we are at a stand still here after starting on our aquaponic system maintenance, working to sort out seed importation and the realizing that it is all a bigger job than expected, we have had more than usual produce at home. Which always inspires kitchen activities, whipping together some edible and otherwise inedible disasters in the kitchen.

Now I am not very versed in the creation of master dishes leaving the kitchen. Most times I can get by making breakfast, light lunch/ dinner, salads, punches and juices and a whole lot of eating out.

Bhaji or Amaranth / Callaloo leaves

Cooking is rarely done at home. In fact, the Kitchen is seldom used for this purpose… Honestly I believe everyone can cook, but the difference is in the outcome.

I am finding that now while we are not planting as was planned, there is more frequent use of the space, rummagingthe internet trying to find recipes that we love to work with what is on hand from the market and harvested. Mostly a very disastrous and depressing exercise, following instructions in a recipe, I am not entirely happy with, is not something I do well.

Finally today I have decided that help is needed…so off to some good ole schooling to improve on cooking… the goal is for fewer cases of disasters and more moments of preparing and enjoying yummy, edible meals.

To satisfy the gardening nerd in me…I have am trying to plant a small soil based kitchen garden or food jungle as a friend calls it. I would try to cook as we grow to make this a little fun as I prefer garden adventures that kitchen ones any day.

So easing right into it from today… because I am required to document, picture take (not a problem there, love this part) and learn to develop recipes that works for the lifestyle we live… brace your self for more plant based cooking or experimentation and more kitchen adventures as we figure our next move out.

Above pictures are of the prep for a staple breakfast on a weekend once I am at home, below are the final pictures… a typical fruit and egg breakfast… We pick what we can from the garden… everything else is sourced as responsibly as is practically possible.

For my assignment, I have to select one picture showing prep of a go to dish, the making of the dish and the final meal…

Hope I can share something useful or two on this cooking and kitchen garden journey.

]]>https://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/local-artisan-greens-in-the-kitchen-the-go-to-dish/feed/0IMG_1464aquafoodfishgreensIMG_1479IMG_1568IMG_1596Bhaji or Amaranth / Callaloo leavesIMG_1428IMG_1438IMG_1439IMG_1443IMG_1449IMG_1451IMG_1445IMG_1464IMG_1462IMG_1461IMG_1460Gardening breathes creativityhttps://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/gardening-breathes-creativity/
https://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/gardening-breathes-creativity/#respondFri, 06 Jun 2014 21:55:28 +0000http://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/?p=3249I missed writing notes in this space. A lot has happened. From challenges with ordering seeds and registering a seed import license, to deciding on site upgrade works and forming up on our practices and methods for our safe-farming and sustainable gardening philosophy. We sense lots of changes to come, which as usual we would welcome with open arms. No other way.

Today we harvest some of out herbs and plan to make something fun and usable.

One of the aspects of gardening that we love is the sense creativity, peace and clarity that the activity brings.

We picked these this afternoon.

And then grabbed some mint

Gardening has allowed some extra love for rosemary infused crackers and breads.

Basil and Shadon Beni Pesto.

WIth it on hand I have gained a bigger appreciation for fresh Mint tea

and for just adding fresh herbs while cooking.

We got the perfect inspiration earlier today which led the the harvesting and devising a plan of action for these herbs!

How do you enjoy fresh garden herbs…?

]]>https://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/gardening-breathes-creativity/feed/020140606-175459.jpgintrovertlybubbly20140606-174935.jpg20140606-175459.jpg20140606-174942.jpg20140606-174948.jpg20140606-174954.jpg20140606-174959.jpg20140606-175004.jpg20140606-175010.jpg20140606-175019.jpgA Juicing Story | 7 of my favourite things to juicehttps://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/03/14/a-juicing-story-7-of-my-favourite-things-to-juice/
https://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/03/14/a-juicing-story-7-of-my-favourite-things-to-juice/#respondFri, 14 Mar 2014 19:58:37 +0000http://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/?p=3088Ever since I know my self I have enjoyed juicing, shakes, punches, blends. I am even more please lately with the availability of responsibly farmed foods to use in our concoctions.

A Juicing Story

For the first time I did a juice cleanse at the end of 2013 and welcomed 2014 with it. It was a challenge but an amazing experience. The awareness post cleanse of what I ate and how I felt was just astounding. As with human nature and life reminders and reinforcements perfectly timed help out with maintaining lifestyles. So this is my juicing story.

Ever since week one of January 2014 when my cleanse ended I have been juicing at least once a week. I either drink during a meal or replace a meal or two with juicing.

Usually my rule of thumb that I adopted from my father; who has ever since been influencer to my healthy eating habits, an avid juicer and nut milk maker, is half fruit; is stick with half veggies and some nuts and you can’t go wrong. Other than that I put more or less what I have on hand.

I have been planting and mentioned previously our standard spinach varieties on site but today I want to talk about Malabar Spinach…

Freshly picked Malabar Spinach leaves

According to CarribeanSeeds.com :Malabar is not a true spinach, but its’ leaves, which form on a vine, resemble spinach and are used in the same way. It comes from India, and is distributed widely in the tropics, particularly in moist lowlands. In Florida, it is rare, even in home gardens.

Typical of leaf vegetables, it is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium. It is low in calories by volume, and high in protein per calorie. It is a particularly rich source of soluble fiber, valued for removing mucus and toxins from the body. The plant is also a rich source of chlorophyll.

Among many other possibilities, Malabar spinach may be used to thicken soups or stir-fried with garlic and chile peppers. Use in Caldo Gallego as substitute for Acelga. Malabar Spinach isexcellent for freezing for later use without loss of its excellent flavor.

These are a joy to see grow as the climb and shoot of the most beautify broad leaves. They produce seeds and tiny pretty flowers.

In the Philippines the leaves of this vegetable is one of the main ingredients in an all vegetable dish called utan that is served over rice.

In Karnataka Cuisine (Karavali and Malnad regions), the leaves and stems are used to make Basale Soppu Saaru/Curry (Especially in combination with Jackfruitseed). In Bengali cuisine it is widely used both in a vegetable dish, cooked with red pumpkin, and in a non-vegetarian dish, cooked with the bones of the Ilish fish. InAndhra Pradesh, a southern state in India, a curry of Basella and Yam is made popularly known as Kanda Bachali Koora [Yam and Basella curry]. Also it used to make the snack item bachali koora bajji. In Odisha, India, it is used to make Curries and Saaga (any type of dish made from green leafy vegetables is called Saaga in Odisha). In the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, India, it is used to make bhaji (भजी).

The vegetable is used in Chinese cuisine. It has many names including flowing water vegetable. It is often used in stir-frys and soups. In Vietnam, particularly the north, it is cooked with crab meat, luffa and jute to make soup.

Malabar spinach can be found at many Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, etc. grocery stores, as well as farmers’ markets. It has been shown to contain certain phenolic phytochemicals and it has antioxidant properties.

Have you ever tried Malabar spinach? How do you like to cook it? I enjoy these highly nutritious greens in my salads, omelettes, stir fry and in juicing, although its slimy and meaty in texture when raw it is very delicious and something you need to acquire a taste for.

]]>https://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/03/12/do-you-like-spinach-here-is-some-nutritional-goodness-on-the-malabar-spinach/feed/2Freshly picked Malabar Spinach leavesaquafoodfishgreensFreshly picked Malabar Spinach leavesOur Bunch of Vine Malabar Spinach Growing NowWe love juicing at home...this green concoction has cucumber, spinach, lettuce, kale, carrots and little gingerGrowing Now | Sprouts; clean green eats and treatshttps://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/sprouts-clean-green-eats-and-treats/
https://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/sprouts-clean-green-eats-and-treats/#respondTue, 25 Feb 2014 13:57:09 +0000http://aquafoodsfishgreens.wordpress.com/?p=2988Sprouts are used for eating fresh in salads, sandwiches, or on their own…they are super, super foods and are often found as individual varieties and/ or in mixes. The mixes are known for their attractive colours, textures, and flavours. At the end of last year we stocked up on some exciting sprout mixes. Our sprouts are from a source that is certified organic. The mixes when sprouted are beautiful with various shades of green leaves and pink and white stems with a crisp, mildly spicy flavour. Mix normally includes: broccoli, China Rose radish, alfalfa, and Red Russian kale.

Shop our sprouts here. Our sprouts are available as an add on produce item. Which means they can be purchased as an “Add On” item to any one of these products or swapped out for microgreens in your “Local Artisan Greens Box“.

Sprouting is easy, we use our Mason Jars and improvise with the mesh/ screen needed to get the job done

Redefine your snacking habit. These serve as excellent alternatives for the craving to nibble and snack during the day.

Some of my favoured links, that share some benefits and uses of these sprouts

Stay tuned for our pop up coupons. We have started pop up coupons that are planned on the day we are setting seeds for orders. If you catch it in time you can benefit for some of our love.

Stay tuned to Twitter , Instagram and Facebook. Coupons would be shared on these platforms on selectively days and randomly and valid only for specified times for your ordering enjoyment.

Have you noticed our change from “Aqua Foods Greens” to “Local Artisan Greens”. We are glad to announce that we are making some serious progress towards our development and being better able to serve you. Excitements is the word. Soon we would be making a decision for which professional service would be helping us with our logo design, product design, brand identity, branding, packaging solutions etc. and we are very excited.

NEW TRIALS

We are continuing over this month and in the next with our trials of Edible Flowers (a couple varieties) stay tuned to instagram for updates of these. Our Bibb/ Butter lettuce have just finished a successful trial and would be available in store this month. We continue to monitor our heirloom tomatoes. Mung beans sprouts, alfalfa sprouts and a delicious mildly spicy mix sprouts are also in store this month. We have started a quinoa trial and cannot wait to see what these beautiful colourful pants do. For live updates check our instagram feed, look for the hashtag #aquafoodsgreenstrials

YOUR MONTHLY HEALTHY DOSE

Press Reset with us. Stay tuned for the next cleanse.

Our online shop is growing we have added a few new lovely items this month that are available for Ordering Now. Build your Culinary Garden or start a trial will always be available.

In the Orchard

Other

Grab and go pouch! Stuff and pump. This package of our fresh greens was stuffed with almonds, sunflower seeds and craisins. Drizzled with EVOO and ground flax seed. Because we are always on the move.

LOCAL ARTISAN GREENS FACTS

Our Local Artisan Greens Box contains Microgreens! Here we show you that it is enough to take you through roughly 8- 10 servings as that pictured in the below meals. Discover clean, green eats! Shown below are three breakfast and a shared dinner , each with our microgreens featured. Stay tuned to instagram for the other meals prepared with these lovely, crunchy micros.